Tuesday, 07 July 2009
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Coming Soon: Ask Dr. C
A few weeks ago Missy suggested we have an 'Ask Doctor Casper' segment where you can ask those questions you've always wanted to ask your doctor but were too embarrassed or hurried or distracted trying to keep two kids from dismantling the examination room while you get your blood pressure taken.
So consider this your own personal Dr.
OzCasper open forum where you can ask away with no embarrassment or hurry. No limit on questions, no time constraints if you think of more. I'll take questions in the comments on this post for the rest of this week and then Travis will post answers next week. Some suggestions to get you started:- Why do doctors always.....?
- What does it mean when they say....?
- Is it really necessary for them to....?
- I'm confused by.......Can you explain it to me?
- I have a family history of......Should I be tested?
- My doctor says I have to have.......done. What does it involve?
- Do I really need to go to the doctor for....?
- How do doctors really feel about....?
- This is what's happening. Should I be concerned?
- What do doctors think when....?
- I read about......on the internet. Is it true?
Silly, serious, sensitive, even ones about Travis himself....ask 'em all if you want. Should you have a question that's more personal and you'd rather not post it in the comments for all to see, message or e-mail it to me. I can have Travis answer it privately, or with your permission, post it anonymously with the answer.
A couple of caveats: Travis will not recommend a specific medication (other than OTC stuff) or diagnose a condition over the Internet. Medications and diagnosis depend heavily on your medical history, social situation, emotional status, and even economic state, all of which are more appropriately discussed with your family physician. As he told the woman who called the emergency help line at 3 a.m., demanding that he diagnose the skin rash on her arm and call in a precription, "Ma'am, I can't diagnose a rash over the phone. Pause. Because I can't see it. Pause. No, I won't call in a medication without knowing what it is. You can go to the Emergency Room if you need to be seen tonight. Pause. No, an itchy skin rash is not generally considered an emergency. And just for future reference, this line is intended for medical emergencies. Pause. Ok, if you insist, hold your arm up to the end of your receiver and I'll tell you what your rash tells me. And then you can come see me in the office tomorow."
So, what do you want to know?
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Comments (11)
Very cool of Travis to do this! I'll have to think about it and come back...
Booo! I had my comment all typed out and Xanga gitched!
Ok...starting over. First, Cool of Travis to do this. And CRACKING UP at the idea of the rash talking on the phone. Awesome.
Ok, I may come back with something more insightful, but my first question is - Does a "normal, healthy" woman in her 20s/30s need a GP? Obviously I have regular visits with a gyn, but I don't have a GP right now... Are annual "well checks" necessary for adults? I'm on an open access healthcare plan, so I don't need a GP for referrals.........................
Oh, I have tonssssss of questions! But first things first, you see, I have this rash....
Ok. I really do have questions. I'll ask a few now, think some more, and then ask some more.
1. Is it appropriate/inappropriate to bring your kids to appointments with you?
2. Do you prefer that your patients leave the medicine up to you, or is it helpful when they research their symptoms on (reputable) sites and ask questions?
3. I've heard that one of the hugest problems with health care costs in our country is that everyone goes to the Dr. for everything. How do you know then, when to go? Being a lay person, I don't feel like I always know how to judge. I've been in both situations: took me/my kids and didn't think it was necessary (and was glad later that I did)!, and took me/my kids and felt like I wasted everyone's time.
4. How many things it is appropriate to ask your primary care Dr. about at one visit?
Ok, more later I think!
my question is: what's it like for your family to have a dr. i the family? do drs. get to diagnose their spouses & kids? do drs. go to another doc? or can they diagnose themselves? are the rules about giving Rx to family members? that kinda thing. :) What's it look like from the inside looking out? :)
LOVIN' Ladymiss' questions. Ditto those!! 3 weeks ago I injured my shoulder (very minor). I finally have an appt. on friday to see the doctor about. I feel kinda dumb though because it doesn't hurt, hurt - KWIM? But it's at the point now that I can't sleep on that side or hold my purse because it starts to get really sore. I feel stupid though because it doesn't hurt that bad but want to make sure there is no damage to it. So what do doctors really think about stuff like that?
When you were little, did you want to be a doctor?
How do you keep yourself from getting emotionally involved with patients while still being kind/sensitive to their needs?
Okay...I just had a question that just came to me that I had been thinking about.
I have had hypothyroiodism for almost 15 years. I was well balanced during my pregnancy and before; however since I have had Ian they have had a hard time getting me regulated. This last adjustment made my hyper and caused my heart to race, so they lowered it. Now I admit I take my medicine around breakfast time but would that cause some sort of absorption problem? One of the last visits I had, the doc said they had never seen levels like mine and they were surprised that I wasn't falling asleep in my chair. I am at 200 mcg right now. My son is 2 1/2 years old so it's taken that long to get somewhat adjusted which seems like a LONG time. Do you think I should look into getting into an endocrinologist?
@Ellen R. - Just a quick interjection to say Hi Ellen, welcome!
Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Ok, as you were....
@J_K_Manbeck - From one hypo to another (who just saw the Dr. this a.m. about my most recent dosage change)!, it definitely DOES matter when you take it. Always an hour before eating or several hours after. Also, certain vitamins (or so I've been told) can affect the absorption so take it by itself. Try to take it around the same time, and (again, so I've been told) try to stick with the same pharmacy as the pills can differ (even within the same dose) among manufacturers.
Travis, sooo sorry if I stepped on your toes here. Correct or add your expertise...my sympathy for the adjusting meds game got the best of me.
Another question: Do Dr.'s "blacklist" certain patients or how do they handle difficult patients that they wish they didn't have to see. My OB/GYN was great back in PA, but after Leah was born and had some health problems and the OB was made aware of it (the neurologist/metabolic/genetics Dr.'s wanted to see her birth records), I felt like they dropped me like a hot potato. (I repeatedly told them the Dr.'s had no concerns about anything malpracticey), but they began "cancelling" my appts., making me reschedule, and pretty much blowing me off in every other way.
@Marketer319 - Thanks! Just thought I'd report back ~~ saw the doctor today and it's rotator cuff tendonitus (sp?) from an injury that happened about a month ago. He gave me a sheet of exercises and gave me a prescription for high dosage of IB proffin since my shoulder is swollen (which I had no idea!).
P.S. MY 10 year highschool reunion is this weekend too, also in Iowa!